Steel H14 QT52-56HRC
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE H14 · UNS T20814
QT52-56HRC = hardened & tempered 52–56 HRC
Use for small hot-extrusion tooling and punches where wear resistance dominates and shock loading is low.
Values for the QT52-56HRC condition
Other H14 tempers and conditions
H14 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at H14.
- ANN
- QT44-48HRC
- QT48-52HRC
- Nitrided
- QT52-56HRC
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard mill supply state for rough machining of dies before hardening. | 450 | 760 | 20 | 215 HB | — |
Hardened & tempered 44–48 HRC | Pick for large hot-forging or hot-punching dies where impact toughness matters more than peak hot hardness. | 1,250 | 1,500 | 11 | 46 HRC | — |
Hardened & tempered 48–52 HRC | The usual finished hardness for hot-extrusion dies, mandrels and hot punches needing high red hardness. | 1,450 | 1,750 | 8 | 50 HRC | 28 W/m·K |
Hardened, tempered and nitrided surface | Choose when die surfaces must resist hot metal washing/soldering; core keeps 48–52 HRC properties. | 1,450 | 1,750 | 6 | 50 HRC | — |
QT52-56HRCThis page Hardened & tempered 52–56 HRC | Use for small hot-extrusion tooling and punches where wear resistance dominates and shock loading is low. | 1,650 | 1,950 | 5 | 54 HRC | — |
What is H14 QT52-56HRC?
H14 QT52-56HRC is H14 heat treated to QT52-56HRC — use for small hot-extrusion tooling and punches where wear resistance dominates and shock loading is low. H14 QT52-56HRC has a yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). H14 QT52-56HRC has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT52-56HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,650 MPa (239 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 540°C (1,004 °F), better than 93% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.2 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of steel grades
H14 QT52-56HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for H14 QT52-56HRC; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are H14 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
H14 QT52-56HRC has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
H14 QT52-56HRC has a yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
H14 QT52-56HRC is rated for continuous service to 540°C (1,004 °F). It conducts heat at 27 W/m·K (15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
H14 QT52-56HRC conducts electricity at 3.2 % IACS, worse than 87% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of H14 QT52-56HRC takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 89% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
H14 QT52-56HRC's machinability is not recommended (6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with H14 QT52-56HRC
Is H14 easy to machine?
Rough machine in the annealed condition (≈50% of AISI 1212) with rigid setups and sharp carbide; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard-turning with CBN is practical.
Can H14 be welded?
Repair-weld only with matching hot-work filler, preheat 350–450 °C, keep interpass temperature, and re-temper immediately below the last tempering temperature.
Can H14 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–1150 °C with slow cooling and immediate annealing; harden from 1090–1200 °C, quench in oil/air/salt and double temper 550–650 °C — do not water-cool in service.
What surface finishes work on H14?
Stress-relieve before finish machining; nitride, gas-nitrocarburize or PVD-coat die surfaces, and oil or phosphate for storage since the 5% Cr does not make it stainless.
H14 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.35 – 0.45 | 0.4 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Cr | 4.75 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| W | 4 – 5.25 | 4.6 |
| Vresidual/optional in some producer variants | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
H14 QT52-56HRC — frequently asked
What is H14 QT52-56HRC used for?
H14 QT52-56HRC is typically used for extrusion dies, hot punches, piercing tools and forging die inserts. In short: highest tungsten hot-work grade; more hot hardness than H12; for severe hot working.
What is the yield strength of H14 QT52-56HRC?
H14 QT52-56HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is H14 QT52-56HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Rough machine in the annealed condition (≈50% of AISI 1212) with rigid setups and sharp carbide; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard-turning with CBN is practical.
Can H14 QT52-56HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Repair-weld only with matching hot-work filler, preheat 350–450 °C, keep interpass temperature, and re-temper immediately below the last tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on H14 QT52-56HRC?
Stress-relieve before finish machining; nitride, gas-nitrocarburize or PVD-coat die surfaces, and oil or phosphate for storage since the 5% Cr does not make it stainless.
Can H14 QT52-56HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1050–1150 °C with slow cooling and immediate annealing; harden from 1090–1200 °C, quench in oil/air/salt and double temper 550–650 °C — do not water-cool in service.
What is the maximum service temperature of H14 QT52-56HRC?
H14 QT52-56HRC is rated for continuous use to about 540°C (1,004 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Hot-work tool steel product data (Cr-W grades) — Böhler / Voestalpine (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.